My can of worms....

1420 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Globemaster, Nov 16, 2009

Mic

Discussion Starter · Nov 8, 2009

Started working on replacing the PS pump today. Got something else to drive, so I'm really glad I can take my time. Been getting worse over time with increasing noise that could imitate a Ford. Tensioner, belt, and crank pulley/balancer are either recent, new, or looks good. Soooooo.....

Wagon has ~160k on it.

I will post pics, just not tonight.

I have to figure out how to get the pressure line off the back of the pump tomorrow, but the pump is loose and so far so good.

The can of worms factor is that I can't resist making things at least a little better.

I've always wanted a faster ratio, and I think I paid a good price for a used steering gear. The gear on the wagon is a reman the PO had installed. So why not put in a better gear while I'm replacing the pump, and new lines (of course). Oh, and if I'm going that far then I should do the Jeep Cherokee intermediate shaft too, there's bound to be one in a yard around here, or maybe I can find a new replacement one. I'm due for tires & allign so why not.

Got the air pump out of the way for now, will probably leave it off since it's been unplugged for so long and keep it just in case.

Hey, ya know, this is the perfect time to fix the corrosion/rust that the battery acid has caused (note to self, have the alternator checked to make sure it's not over charging because the last battery (dead cell) seemed to be pushing out acid too). Even though it's a decent battery, can't remember the brand right now, maybe I should just get a DieHard or something.... The new battery tray I put in back when is still in good shape, but will get another coat of that rust inhibiting paint along with the whole inner fender/core support area.

I see the lower heater hose is just a little more swollen than average, seeing as how I already drained the system I might as well get new hoses, T, and restrictor and rinse out the heater core. Heck, why not pull the knock sensors again for good measure.

There might be a couple more things, but that's all I got for now. Wish me continued good luck, progress, and hope I get it back on the road by the end of the year....

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Mic

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 8, 2009

I KNOW! I don't live very far from Tom, can't remember his screen name, but he started a "weekend" project and his frame-off has gone for years now. You know how it goes, "might as well do it right while I'm here" disease - ism - whatever you want to call it. If I'm not careful it could be contagious.

Now that I think about it, Gerry really isn't that far away either. I better be super careful or I'll be talking about getting my wagon back on the road before the end of NEXT year.

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Mic

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 9, 2009

The main thing that keeps me from going too deep into this one is not having enough space yet. But I'm sure that'll change soon enough. For now I'll do my best to do this as "right" as I can.

No progress today, or pics yet. Still trying to figure out how to get the pressure line off the back of the pump. I can get a wrench on it, but not broke loose yet, and not much room to move the wrench. Pump is just sitting there loose, not bolted to the plate anymore. Just trying not to take too much apart....

Gerry, I'm thinking you were dealt a pretty good hand, and now you are holding an even better one.

By all means feel free to offer help. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions as I go.

I think I have Wednesday off, so maybe I'll have it at least all apart by then.

95wagon said:
We're just here to help,,,,,,,,, really!!

I am no stranger to spreading cars across large expanses . Tom, this is his first and just look what a little coaxing did. He has done an exceptional job especially for a first car. He is full blown infected now!

Your car Mic, is a better starting point than mine was and deserves the effort.
I should have bought a southern car (maybe a nice TBI , yuk yuk) but you play the cards you are dealt.

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Mic

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 10, 2009

Oh no...! Don't say things like that..... "12 bolts" oh man simplifying things like that is NOT a good thing for me to hear. There is no way the rolling frame would fit next to the body, lucky me.... for now.

Okay, that's it, I'm taking another run at the pressure hose. I might have to ask for help. Also wouldn't be surprised if it is original, even at whatever the mileage is.

Here goes nothing!!!

Hey, even better yet, motivation to get it done because catching up for some kind of cruise sounds like fun again.

SSQATCH said:
I have made a bunch of mistakes but learned a ton on my little rebuild journey. Things that you and Gerry probably would not have done because you knew better. Yea, I am over a year behind on when I thought I would be done but then again, I have done a lot more than I thought I was capable of. Go ahead and do it!! Only a dozen bolts the the body comes right off - who would have thought?? Seems easy enough.

BTW, if you think you don't have enough room now, wait until the body is beside the frame indstead of under it. Now that my home remodel is done, I have taken over my daughters old bedroom for a parts storage area. At least everything is all in one area, now I just need to figure out where everything goes.

As for the PS pump, good luck. They are a pain - especially when it is the original.

What ever you decide, good luck - but deep down inside you know you to. For inspiration you can see my thread below:
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=232470&

TOM B

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Mic

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 10, 2009

Hey John, that first pic is a cool shot!

Well finally got the pump out. The pressure line on the back of the pump was pretty easy this try-around. Here's my latest trick:

Only took about half the effort I could have used to break it loose, so it was just the trick I needed. This worked great and I wouldn't want to have to use any more force than I did or I'd be asking for all kinds of trouble.

Then I was trying to figure out how to get the line the rest of the way off, I could get a finger or two on it but not enough to turn it the rest of the way out. So I was looking around and my blue rag plug for the big hose going up to the reservoir was not working so well so I just pulled th reservoir the rest of the way out, THEN, when trying to clean a little PS fluid up I decided to .... wait for it..... unplug the AC compressor!!! I think the slower I work the easier it is. This allowed the hard line/pump enough movement to easily get the line off the rest of the way off, easy as that.

I'm happy to get that much done tonight, and actually started a list because I'm sure I'll forget plenty if I don't. Looks like I have plenty of cleaning to do as I go too.

BTW, Tom I would have never guessed this was your first "major" frame off project after reading your thread again.

Thanks for the "motivational" pics John.

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Mic

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 16, 2009

Got the knock sensors out again, still had some sediment in the coolant, still can't figure out how to not make a big mess, but it's worth it I think.

Some of the bigger chunks you see probably fell off the engine etc when I was draining from the radiator & then heater hoses....

Got the front end greased (made a PS fluid mess too), just need to get the PS lines out and wait for parts. Slow but steady progress.

My list so far....

Pinch RF outer brake pad to stop the little bit of squeak
Bench test Alt to see whether it's over charging (batt shows a little acid coming out the top)
Fix rust/corrosion around battery area
get GM PS fluid
Get the Jeep intermediate shaft
Flush heater core

There is more but that's all I can remember right now

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